TRANSPORTATION PLANNING METHODS

Assignment 2

MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF DECISION MAKING

Prepared By Sabin Bajracharya 013-1226

Center for Postgraduate Studies Nepal Engineering College Balkhu, Kathmandu Nepal

September, 2013

The five Major Characteristics of Decision Making Process identified are 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Pluralistic Resource Allocative Consensus Seeking Problem Simplifying Uncertainty Avoiding

These are further discussed below:

1. Pluralistic
Pluralism is, in the general sense, the acknowledgment of diversity. The concept is used, often in different ways, in a wide range of issues. It is a guiding principle which permits the peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions and lifestyles. Pluralism is connected with the hope that this process of conflict and dialogue will lead to a definition and subsequent realization of the common good that is best for all members of society. This implies that in a pluralistic framework, the common good is not given a priori. Instead, the scope and content of the common good can only be found out in and after the process of negotiation. According to the principle of subsidiarity, everything that need not be regulated within the general framework should be left to decide for subordinate groups and, in turn, to individuals so as to guarantee them a maximum amount of freedom and benefit. For example - Referendum on transportation sales tax (like, commuter train cent/$1 tax)

2. Resource Allocative
Resources are the factor inputs to do the work. A decision results into the commitment of resources. It is of much importance to allocate efficient resources for a given objective function. Timely resource allocation is crucial to avoid unnecessary waiting time of resources and delay of activities, especially under the condition of limited supply of resources. Timely resource allocation, i.e. determination of an activity that has the highest priority to obtain resources at that instant, is a dynamic decisionmaking process dependent on real-time information during a construction process. A good example for not adopting of a timely transportation budget is lack of state budget resulted in cancellation of a highway project connecting Alpine and Draper.

3. Consensus Seeking
Consensus Seeking decision-making is a group decision making process that seeks the consent of all participants. This process attempts to help everyone get what they need by collaboration, cooperation and participation of decision makers as well as participants. Consensus decision making attempts to address for better decisions, better implementation and better group relationships. For pluralism to function and to be successful in defining the common good, all groups have to agree to a minimal consensus regarding shared values, which tie the different groups to society, and shared

rules for conflict resolution between the groups. The necessary consensus on rules and values should not unnecessarily limit different groups and individuals within society in their value decisions. A process that includes and respects all parties, and generates as much agreement as possible sets the stage for greater cooperation in implementing the resulting decisions. For example - Use of market research to gauge the attitudes and opinions of voters facing a referendum; advisory committees to develop plans. 4. Problem Simplifying Decision making skills are used to solve problems by selecting one course of action from several possible alternatives. Decision making can be hard. Almost any decision involves some conflicts or dissatisfaction. The difficult part is to pick one solution where the positive outcome can outweigh possible losses. Avoiding decisions often seems easier. Yet, making our own decisions and accepting the consequences are the only way to stay in control of our time, our success, and our life. Decision-making and problem-solving are basic ingredients of leadership. More than anything else, the ability to make sound, timely decisions separates a leader from a non-leader. It is the responsibility of leaders to make high quality decisions that are accepted and executed in a timely fashion and simplify the problems. For example - Defining transportation problems like too many cars and coming up with the solutions for this problem.

5. Uncertainty Avoiding
Incorporating uncertainty into transportation decision making has become a more important activity as evidenced by the popularity of scenario-based approaches in the regional transportation planning process. Particularly in decision making to promote sustainability, uncertainty and risk factors can be important elements because they can influence which alternative is perceived as the most desirable depending on a wide range of parameters. For example - Use of scenarios in community visions; staged implementation of transportation projects to develop more certain portions first. The fact that traffic forecasts, estimates of construction costs, socio-economic cost-benefit analysis and other assessment methods, which often constitute an essential part of the planning and decisionmaking with regard to major infrastructure projects, often are inadequate or imprecise and hence misleading. Consequently, projects may be designed incorrectly or decided without being costeffective whereby estimated user benefits are lower than predicted and construction cost estimates are creating budget overruns. It is thus necessary to identify, explain and thereby avoid the systematic biases of decision support models, leading to unbiased decision support, and to develop methods that can quantify the uncertainties of cost-estimates, transport models and decision support. This will improve the quality of the decision support tools within the transport sector, leading to better use of the investments with regard to socio-economy, as well as to a higher public acceptance of the decisions made.